All men are under sin. Sin is not something we do it defines us in our natural state.
Since we are under sin, we are not good, we are enemies of God, we turn from God.
Being under sin means that we sin in word and in deed. It means that we are guilty before God, accountable for our sin.
It is only when we realise this that we can appreciate our desperate need of the gospel and the magnificent power of the gospel.
We are as wicked as it is possible to be, but praise God a righteousness from heaven has been revealed - a righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ.

The gospel was powerful - to save from ALL sin & to save ALL people.
It's power was due to a righteousness from God (the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ) that is able to make us righteous, being revealed. This righteousness is received by faith ALONE.

How were Paul & the team able to make such an impact on the communities they vsited- to the degree that they had a reputation of causing trouble?
Paul tells us in 1Thes 2:2 that "with God's help we dared to preach His gospel in spite of opposition. "
If our efforts to reach the communities around us are to succeed we need to recognise our need of God's help, we need a holy boldness and we need to keep sharing the Gospel.

'A task that is absurd, impossible but absolutely essential'
Tackling the problem of sin which required a sacrifice and a saviour who offered us salvation.
Our task is to share the Gospel...clear and simply !

Those who arrested Peter & John would not believe in Jess in spite of the evidence.
Why won't people believe? We won't believe because of the sinful deceitfulness of the human heart.
Whatever our hearts may be feeling and saying to our minds, the truth is that Jesus is the Son of God & the only way to God.
We need to pray that God will soften our hearts and allow the truth of the gospel to penetrate so that we & others will believe.

The work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit worked through ordinary disciples who were available to God.
The Holy Spirit worked through the preaching of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit worked by bringing men and women to repentance and faith.

The disciple's commission whilst Jesus is away.
Jesus instructs the disciples. They are to be witnesses. They are to be witnesses in the whole world. They are to witness in the power of His Holy Spirit.